Our Story

HELPING kids live their best life

Our Goal

To Keep kids alive, out of jail, and living their best life.

Our Mission

We help kids and communities doing it tough to live their best life

Our Motto

Let’s GROW.

Our Vision

For kids and young ones doing it tough to lead a life of purpose, participation and potential, with no child left behind.

We Value L.I.F.E

L. Look for the Rainbows

ooing for rainbows means looking for the good amongst the sh!t, learning from mistakes, learning to dance in the rain, living in the moment, appreciating others’ efforts.

I.I Never Give Up

Never giving up is: Owning your own sh!t. “If you break it, fix it.” Just breathe. Be persistent and consistent.

F. Fly In Formation, always.

Flying in formation means: teamwork; because  “teamwork makes the dreamwork”. Respecting differences, having each others’ back, seeking to understand, being loyal, asking and listening.

E. Empathy for all.

Empathy looks like: showing understanding, loving yourself and others, and just being there for others.

In 2011, we commenced our community work from Apollo House, in the heart of a social housing estate in East Dubbo, NSW. An estate with intergenerational disadvantage and trauma.

In 2018, we transitioned from sole trader status as Leader In Development to LeaderLife, a not-for-profit organisation with deductible gift recipient (DGR) charitable status.

LeaderLife uses a soft entry, community driven approach to engage some of the hardest to reach people in our community.

Our philosophy

LeaderLife bravely does things a bit differently, knowing that 'all can lead a life of purpose, participation and potential' if the right approach is adopted. We compassionately guide kids to always be learning because “when you know better … you do better”. We commit for the long haul, working holistically with individuals, families and the community. We use the principles of the ‘Circle of Courage Model’, which shows us that to be emotionally healthy, all people need a sense of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity.

Our work

Our programs support children aged between 5 and 12 years old (Skillbuilders), young ones aged between 13 and 18 years of age (CATALYST – Creating Access To A Loving Youth Support Team), young people aged between 15 and 25 years of age having a tough time with training and getting a job (Soil2Soul), and adults and families who drop into our community centre (Apollo House) seeking tailored life navigation support.

LeaderLife’s programs work respectfully with the community, providing a platform of empowerment. We deliver effective early intervention and prevention strategies through successful, innovative and evidence based diversionary and therapeutic programs. We have an inhouse holistic counsellor from www.keen4happy.com.au. LeaderLife gently create opportunities for behaviour change that helps transform lives within Dubbo.

Our programs are 100% voluntary. We never chase; we draw people in, and while we do not run any Indigenous specific programs, over 90% of those accessing our supports are Indigenous.

We know that it takes a really strong community approach to help young people break out of disadvantage, especially Indigenous kids. We work ever so closely with many different levels of government, philanthropists, organisations, Indigenous Elders, community groups and most importantly families; to help kids break out of destructive life patterns like suicide, drugs and crime. We do this ultimately so they have the opportunity to lead a life that is meaningful, positive, happy and thriving.

Our Favourite Saying

“Surround yourself with maniacs, misfits and makers. They speak in action. They plan in decades. They make the impossible feel normal. They focus on themselves, in service of others. They’re in the dirt with dreams in the clouds. They live on the line between discipline and delusion. That line is where things change. And those on it, change everything”.